After two weeks of being away and off-line while moving to Oregon, I’m finally back. I’m so happy to have email and internet access again, though I do have to admit that I was so busy the past two weeks that I didn’t have time to miss it much! But I did miss reading the daily blogs and everyone here. It’s good to be back in the jungle among friends! :hug2:
I know most of you have been following my blog posts about this big move of ours from Southern California to Northern Oregon (We’re now living in Hillsboro, just outside of Portland), and I have to say that moving out of state has been an extremely overwhelming experience. 8O As a quick recap, two weeks ago the moving company arrived at our house in California and had EVERYTHING packed up and on a moving van in THREE DAYS. They packed everything for us, and quickly, too. Watching how fast they packed up our lives and the house we’d lived in for 18 years made me so dang anxious, at times I just couldn’t watch and had to leave the rooms they were working in, LOL. Saying goodbye to family and close friends was so tough 
(we’re starting out completely new up here — only knowing the people Don works with) and walking through our EMPTY house was even tougher. It was a house we really, truly loved, and if we could have moved it with us to Oregon we would have!
The two day drive up to Oregon to get here was uneventful for the most part. The dog and cat had the back third area of the Tahoe to themselves and were very well behaved. 
:dog1: While we thought that our fifteen year old was going to have the toughest time with the move, it was oldest who had a “break down” on the drive up. She cried and was sad and it really hit her all that we were leaving behind. So, we talked about the move and what she needs to do once we’re settled in here – mainly get applied to Portland Community College and start looking for a job. She’s doing much better now — both daughters are doing surprisingly well — and overall I think the emotional release was a good thing for her. As for me, I’m just taking things day by day and trying to keep focused on what needs to get done so our lives can return to some kind of normalcy – however, it’s been SO NICE being back with Don and having the family together again. We’ve been living apart for the past five months, and at least that part of our life feels “right” again. :wub:
Last Tuesday, the movers arrived at our new house and unloaded everything in ONE DAY. There were over 500 boxes of our stuff, and they were stacked EVERYWHERE. Remember, I’ve never been through a major move before, so this was incredibily stressful for someone who likes things neat and orderly! 
It was a maze to get through the garage and through the house, and it was so overwhelming I just didn’t know where to start. And for as much as I cleaned out a ton of stuff from the California house, it appears we still brought too much junk with us, LOL. We’ve made five HUGE trips to Goodwill here, with many more to come, I’m sure. And we had to rent a 10 x 10 storage unit that is packed to the gills with stuff we kept packed until we buy a house in a few years. I’m only unpacking what we absolutely need right now – no knick-knacks or frills. Overall, the house we’re renting is nice, with four bedrooms, so I have my own office. But going from a 2,400 square foot home to a 1,680 square foot home is like shoving a quarter into a dime sized slot, LOL. It just doesn’t fit! :yikes: But we’re making it work and with each box I do unpack the house is becoming a home. (Despite being a two story with NO air conditioning!) I keep telling myself, and the girls, that it’s only temporary, that it’s not a house that we bought and in a few years when Kellie graduates from high school we can buy a house anywhere we want, without having to worry about being in a certain school district.
Oh, and good news – We leased out our house in California! Yeah! 
Since the market crashed so badly, we’d decided to hold onto the house for a few years, rent it out, and re-evaluate things in a few years. Overall, even though the past 6 months have been extremely stressful, everything has fallen into place in a way that tells me this was the right thing for us to do. No, it’s not easy and it’s a huge adjustment for all of us, but in my heart, I feel good, and very “zen”, about the decisions we’ve made. 
Most importantly, after going through this upheaval and the crazy process of moving, I informed Don that I will only move ONCE MORE. And that’s the next house we BUY. So, we’d better be sure what we do buy is what we want to live in for the rest of our lives, LOLOL! :grin1:
So, how many of you have made a big “out of state” kind of move. Any tips for getting unpacked and settled in — and quickly? 
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WELCOME BACK, JANELLE! We missed you!!!!!!
When you finish here, you can visit Carly at the Barnes and Noble Bookclub (Romantic Reads) where I’ll be answering questions!
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Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Congrats on surviving the move!
It’s now 10 years since I married and moved from one end of NY to the other. I am still unpacking, but only because this house was already loaded with stuff and I have no room for mine.
However, I have moved many times over the years and found that if I packed and labeled and made sure the furniture went it where I wanted it first and then the boxes into the right rooms, I was able to unpack faster. (not that this helps at this point I know). I also used the towels, washclothes, table linens etc. to wrap stuff so I didn’t pack needless boxes.
On the other hand, it’s nice to unpack stuff someone else packed for you, evaluate it and keep/trash/store it.
And alcohol or chocolate helps too.
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Janelle,
I’ve never moved out of state. And having lived in condos before, the moves were never that bad. We’ve been in our house for 16 years now and I can’t even think of having to move out of it. My plan is either to stay there or eventually retire into a condo again after our daughter is on her own. I feel for what you went through. I can’t even imagine all those boxes. Yikes! But I’m glad you’re all together again and getting settled.
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Well, I once got married, quit my job and moved to a new state all in one month. That was big fun. My only tip for unpacking is just to keep at it–unoriginal but practical. As for settling in to a new community, we actually joined a local club just to meet people, and are still there so I guess it was successful. Good luck!
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Congrats on your new house and surviving the move. I have never moved as an adult, except after my marriage into the house my hubbie and I built. However, as a child I lived in eleven different places. LOL My Dad kept the same job, but moved to different locations within the same company. I remember the boxes, but we got used to the drill and now I could be a professional mover, if I could only convince my hubbie to move. (My childhood has given me wondering fever.)
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I’ve never made a move like that. I’ve only had to move twice and that was when I got married into a trailer and then once more into the house and the house was about 50 feet behind the trailer and half of the stuff that was in the trailer stayed in the trailer because it was borrowed. You do have my undying sympathy because I’m sure that was not an easy move. And I really feel for the daughters because I know that couldn’t not have been easy on them.
As far as helping you cope with this: I say chocolate and maybe a few doughnuts to help with the stress of course. Good luck to you !!!
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WTG on the movie Janelle! I know it’s quite an undertaking, but no doubt you and the family are up to the challenge. Still, I wish you good luck with everything.
I moved to the Chicago area (from northern Minnesota) when I was 19, which was 17 years ago, and all I had were my clothes and a few knick knacks, so sadly I can’t offer much advice. I guess the biggest thing is to not rush because then you end up putting things where they don’t belong and you can’t find them. Not good.
Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures :)
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I have made an out of state move 2 years ago I remember the movers coming and the thought of my home not my home any more. the night we left Washington state I cried we drove from Washington to Oregon to visit my parents and 2 days later we were off we took our time driving we had my daughter who was 6 and my son was 1 our 2 dogs I don’t mean lap dog either a Lab and a Boxer we finally arrived in Florida a week later talk about culture shock do you know what the temperature is like in Florida in July Washington’s summers don’t even really begin till August. We had rented a house while ours was being built we went from 1700 sq feet to smaller never let your husband pick out a rental I hated the house we rented most our stuff lived in boxes for a year till our house was done then we moved everything again this time we went to 4000 sq feet. we just unpacked a little at a time. I still miss the northwest.
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Janelle, I’m so glad to hear you’re getting settled into your new house. I hope that your emotions will settle too very soon.
The only time I moved out of state was in 1987 when I moved from Georgia to Colorado. I didn’t have a job, didn’t know anybody, didn’t have a place to live. But it was the best thing I’ve ever done because my life began when I moved here.
Have a wonderful day all,
Cher
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Welcome back Janelle! Glad to hear that y’all got moved, even if you are still unpacking. I think both chocolate and alcohol will help with the stress. I would just tackle one box at a time. Luckily, you have your whole family together again to help out.
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Good morning Jungle ladies and welcome back Janelle! We’ve missed you! I’m glad to hear the biggest part of your moving journey is over. It’s so hard to move away from a place where you made a life, all your love and roots are there, and it isn’t the easiest thing to do to leave it. The emotional aspect can be really tough.
I’ve had one major out of state move in my life. I moved from my Oklahoma home town to Tuscaloosa Alabama. To make my story short, I was running from a broken heart. The b/f I had spent my highschool years with went and married a woman he barely knew to lash out at me after we had a falling out. So I tucked my tail and ran. I’m ashamed to say I moved in with a guy I barely knew.
At first, I needed that break, no more family breathing down my neck, no more having to be responsible for them. It was ME time. I was finally going to focus on me for a change. It’s amazing how little I packed and took with me. The rest was put into storage. The first few months were exciting, but after a while, I realized I didn’t have anyone. I wasn’t able to call family, I had no friends or anyone to share my concerns with. And the “b/f” I was living with was way too immature to understand how I felt. I left EVERYTHING behind, and looking back now, it was the hardest thing I ever had to do.
You never appreciate what you have until you leave it behind, and it took me leaving to learn that. Oh, and the guy who broke my heart? We’ve been happily together now for a year. :)
So it’s hard to move, but it’s also an adventure, and as long as you have people to share it with, it makes it so much more tolerable. I’ve said a prayer that you find the happiness in your new home that you had in your old one.
p.s. Give your girls a hug, it’s so hard sometimes. I’m sure it will be fantastic. :hug2:
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oh, and I forgot to mention I moved back to OK a year later, which is when I got back with the b/f/ :)
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Janelle — Welcome to Oregon. You’ll find the Rose City chapter of RWA is a terrific group of women. I live in the southern part of the state, so don’t get up there much, but I’m looking forward to meeting you.
We made a big “corporate” style move in 2002, It was a fascinating experience. They packed us in ONE day and unloaded us in a half day. As I began opening boxes, I found some, um, creative approaches to packing and labeling. For example, in one box, labeled “Sofa cushions,” there were, indeed, sofa cushions. But there were also pots and pans (gee, that would’ve been handy to know), some miscellaneous stuff from the spice cabinet, and a half-bottle of soy sauce–not the kind with a nice tight screw cap, but the kind with the double openings like you find on the table in Chinese restaurants. One of the packers had lovingly wrapped it in paper and laid it ON ITS SIDE on top of the sofa cushions.
http://www.plotmonkeys.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/monkee12622.gif
Somehow, miraculously, not one drop had spilled. In fact, nothing was broken, which astounded me considering how quickly they had packed. It took me months to get everything out and in place.
Come to think of it, there’s still one box in the carport…
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I’ve only moved twice – once from my parents house to an apartment. It was only six miles – and I really didn’t have alot of stuff. It was partly furnished so it only took a couple of pick-up truck loads. I lived in that apartment for 11 years until I bought a house three months ago. This time, the move was only two blocks. Simple, huh? Unfortunately, over that 11 years, I amassed what seemed to be mountains of miscellaneous doodads and whatnots. It was so overwhelming, trying to pack to move into a smaller space while at the same time working 12-14 hours a day! There were a couple of times that my mom came over because I was in tears trying to deal with “stuff”.
I’m happy to say that I’m blessed with wonderful friends and co-workers who did so much to help me. I swear, I would have had a nervous breakdown without my mom and my friends. Three months later, I still have a basement (mostly dry, thank goodness) full of boxes and totes. I’m torn because I’m sentimental, so I have many things that are special. However, I LOVE having a clutter free house without shelves of stuff to dust and vacuum around. Until I decide what to do, my treasures can stay in the basement.
Glad that you are back and blogging Janelle!!!
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Welcome to Orygun!
You’re just in time for the HEAT.
As far as unpacking…do the master bedroom/bath and kitchen FIRST and completely.
I remember the first house we bought… we were packed, moved and compeltely unpacked in ONE DAY. That hasn’t happened since.
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My husband was an Army officer. We had moving down to a fine art, though in the military we got a bit spoiled. The movers came in and packed everything we hadn’t marked to take with us in our cars. On the other end, they came in and unpacked everything. We still had to put stuff up – dishes in the cabinet, books on shelves, etc. but all the boxes magically disappeared. Since then, we’ve moved across town a couple of times with the help of family and friends. We’ve been in our current house for just over ten years and I’ve been on a crusade to declutter. Like you, I’ve made MANY trips to the local thrift store that supports programs for battered women. I fear that I’ll have to be pried out of this house with a crowbar. The idea of packing everything and moving again sends me running.
Glad ya’ll arrived safe and sound and mostly emotionally whole. Moving is tough on everyone but having the whole family together will help tremendously. Whether she realizes it or not, this move will help the oldest as she begins to grow up and grow away to begin her own life. But that’s another issue.
(Mine’s 21, just graduated and is beginning post-graduate studies and work…it’s a trip!)
Hang in there and know that all of us here in the jungle are sending good thoughts your way!
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Janelle,
I am glad that things are going smoothly. Big moves are so hard you have to say goodbye to all your friends and family and all those memories…before you know it your new place will feel like home!
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:love: :love: :love:Janelle…you know me (well, sort of!) and others on this post in Oregon!!!! When you are ready, we can meet at Powell’s and browse for books….seriously!
I don’t really have much moving advice. When hubby was transferred about 4 years ago, I was pregnant and had two other boys….they packed us up in about two days (complaining about all of our junk the whole time because I barely had time to go thru some stuff…it was a somewhat sudden thing)….I couldn’t watch them pull out of the house, not that I really liked the house (I didn’t really, it was a starter house), but I was leaving my folks (they were 45 minutes away, now they are closer to 4 hours). I still haven’t unpacked everything, nor have we filled furniture in about three rooms…so I am the wrong person to give advice…..
I think it is hard for teenagers, so just fill up their time with things like getting a job or applying for school. As far as your 15 year old, maybe try random things like go bowling or do something that she likes to do….there have GOT to be teenagers hanging around (try a community pool or something, too). What do I know…my oldest is 8.
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Congrats on the successful move. It has been a number of years since I took part in a large move like that. We moved often when I was growing up. Illinois to Arizona. Arizona to Oregon. (I loved it there!) Oregon to Colorado. Back to Illinois. It can be stressful. I feel lucky, though. I met wonderful friends who would have otherwise remained strangers. I have learned to adapt to new situations. I have seen parts of the country that are truly stunning. Oregon is still one of my favorite places. Ever. (Heck, if my family weren’t all here in Illinois and the schools weren’t cutting all their fine arts teaching positions, I would move back there.)
Your daughters will settle in and find things that they love about their new home. Oh, and my parents? Been in the same home for the past 15 years and they still have boxes in their garage.
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Congrats on the move!!! As for advice on unpacking, I am not the one to give any… after 7 years I still have things boxed up after my move! :flower4you:
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Glad to hear you’re settling in! Sounds like the move went well. I’ve moved so many times in the last 20 years, it’s almost second nature (hotel hubbies are almost as bad as military hubbies!!).
Best tip I can give is relax about the unpacking, it will get done eventually. Do what you can each day, get all the help you can (at least the girls are on summer break!) and before you know it, it will be finished. And a home is made up of the people in it, so focus on each other as a family and all will be well!
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Hugs to you and your family on the move, Janelle! I haven’t done any big moves, so unfortunately no advice, but just take some time to rest, too–it’ll all get settled eventually!
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Ev — Alcohol and chocolate sound good right about now!
Lisa — I definitely plan to check out the Rose City Chapter of RWA! I know I’m going to need some kind of outlet here, and what better way to do that than meeting fellow authors?
Katie — I’m definitely looking forward to visiting Powells! I’ve got over $130 in credit waiting for me there to spend on books! I mailed them some of my used books I got rid of in California, and they gave me the credit to spend at the store!
Thanks to everyone else for the good wishes! They’re much appreciated. My mom is here now, visiting and helping me get things unpacked.
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Holy Canolli, Janelle! That’s awesome! We definitely have to have a lunch date! I am excited to finally meet you!
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Congrats on finally getting “home” Janelle! I’m so happy your ordeal is over…at least until the next time.
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Katie — We’ll definitely “do” Powells! :flower4you:
Leslie — I don’t even want to think about “next time”, even though I know there WILL be one. UGH.
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It’s great to have you back, Janelle. I’m glad the actual move is over and you can go about getting settled in. I’ve never made any big move as the last time I actually moved at all I wasn’t quite yet two.
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Welcome to Oregon, Janelle!I have never moved to a different state. I have lived in Oregon all my life.
My son lives in Hillsboro .
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Janelle,
I am so glad you are back. I moved 8 years ago and still have boxes, so I am not one to give advice.
I have missed you. :wub: :wub:
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Yay!!! I’m so glad you’re finally back with Don and getting settled in. I’m sorry your daughter had a tough time, but you’re probably right, the emotional release was probably a good thing for her.
Our oldest moved to Raleigh 2 weeks ago – it’s only 1 1/2 hours away, and he’s come every weekend since, but he’s really struggling with being away from all of his friends and family. I’m not sure how he’d handle it if he didn’t have any of his friends within driving distance.
I did the big move a couple of times. I moved from Ohio to AZ in 1986 and then moved from AZ to NC in 1992. Like Cher, when I moved I didn’t know anyone, didn’t have a job, I was all alone – well, except for above mentioned son who was 5 at the time. But, I just knew it was what I was supposed to do and it was the best thing I ever did.
The big difference – the only “things” I had was what fit in the back of my Mustang (not a lot!). Hubby loves to tell people about all the furniture I didn’t have when he met me!
Glad to have you back!
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Janelle, So happy you’re back, &, most importantly, that all the family arrived safely. Also, great news that you found a renter for your CA home.
Unfortunately, no out-of-state moves for me (since my move at age 7 from Cincinnati to Burbank), but, advice I’ve heard from others is when unpacking boxes, only do so when you have time to place the items where you want them ultimately to reside. I’m certain your oldest will be fine, when she’s occupied settling into college life. My advice for you, after school starts, make time for yourself!
Patricia
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:hug2: I know you’ll be happy when things seems more normal Glad to hear your pets were good during the drive I drove 2 adult St. Bernards 2 hours away in a Matrix they kept the windows fogged up and i had slabber permanently attached to my shoulder where they had to lean forward to keep a eye on my driving . We moved here 2 yaers ago and still left stuff inthe garage we figured if we don’t bring it in we won’t have to box it back up if we move. However My books found their place in the house!! I hope you’ll be very happy in your new home!
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Welcome back Janelle we sure missed ya!
Moving is always tough especially on teens.
Having your family together again should help relieve some of the stress.
Mom’s are always good at unpacking too.
I have been on vacation in Maine while you have been in turmoil.
I wish I could share this peace and quiet with you.
I have been having a blast reading some of your past releases
that a very special lady gave to me. I can’t even tell you that I like one
better than the other. I sure am enjoying them. I just finished
“The Wedding Deal” Wow what a good story. I totally enjoyed it.
Come to think of it I have never read a Janelle Denison book I didn’t LOVE.
There that should make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
And yes I meant every word. Hugs and Prayers.
Jeannie and zoey
:wub: 
:heart1:
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Welcome Back! Enjoy you’re new home, take time unpacking and take time to get to meet the neighbors, interact with new friends – it’ll make the transition easier as the boxes will still be there when you get back. But new friends will make adjusting much easier!
Good Luck
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Hi Janelle,
It is late for me to be posting today, but that is how the day went!
Enjoy Oregon! I’m a native Oregonian, I think you will love it. Do the unpacking as you can and don’t get stressed.
Forty years ago (getting closer to 41) my then husband, daughter & I moved from Medford, OR., to Cloverdale, CA. That is the furthest distance I’ve moved. Have moved several times here in this area & am probably going to be moving again into some low income housing. I’m dreading it as I’m not good at decluttering, it is overwhelming what needs to be done but I will manage somehow! My daughter that lives in Eugene is the moving expert as she & her husband have lived in Ca., Or., Ut., Id., Co., and Or., again!! Wish she was here to help me. When we moved from Or., to Ca., we were young & did not have that much yet, we filled up a UHaul truck & the car, my 15 year old brother came along to help us out & went back home on the bus! I had lived my whole life in Medford so it was hard to leave but also exciting. I love this area but also fall in love with Oregon all over again whenever I get back for visits with family & friends.
Good luck with settling in, making new friends and enjoying having the whole family together again. I bet Don is so happy to have all his “girls” back with him. :banana: Enjoy this new phase in your life.
Take care,
Donna M
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Janelle I am so happy that you all made it there. I am sure it would be hard to move to another state after being in the house you were in for 18 years. I wish you guys all the luck, I hope you make new friends right away.
Good luck with all the unpacking.
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Two years ago we moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Northern Illinois, into a tiny rental apartment that required us to put much of our belongings from our four-bedroom house into storage. We just bought a house in Southeastern Wisconsin and moved twice: from the apartment in Illinios and from the storage unit in Florida. It was hell, and we’re still unpacking. I’ve already informed my husband that I intend to die in this house (in other words, I’m not moving again).
We, too, held on to our house in Florida, which will be empty soon. Wish us luck that the real estate management company will get a replacement before too long!
In the meantime, I’ve got an August 1st deadline I should be working on now, but we’re going on vacation this week, so everything is on hold . . . again.